Saturday, October 30, 2010

Every generation gets the sex symbol it deserves; for many of us creeping towards puberty in the late 70’s Debbie Harry was our It Girl.

I remember seeing Blondie perform “Hanging on the Telephone” on TV at a tender age. Debbie Harry was doing her standing-still-at-the-mike pose and was decked out in a glowing-red dress. I didn’t fully understand my reaction to the line, “I'd like to talk when I can show you my affection” but it may have influenced my decision to buy a cassette tape of Parallel Lines soon thereafter.

Of course, a dream of Kristy McNicol may have convinced me to watch the execrable show Family but that phase passed. Blondie remained. However, these years later it seems that of all the class of CBGB’s graduates, Blondie still gets the least respect (well other than The Shirts or The Tuff Darts). The Ramones were lionized for milking every last drop from their distillation of rock history. Blondie accomplished the same thing but since they insisted on moving “forward” (in a manner –disco, rap, old reggae – not so different than the Clash) and had hits, they grew critically marginalized. Yet, as a singer, songwriter, bandleader and sex symbol Debbie Harry belongs on a rarefied list of performers (Maybelle Carter, Billie Holliday, Joan Jett et al) who re-defined the role of women in music. Plus, the hits Harry and her band (remember "Bondie is a band"?) livened up the radio and jump-started a thousand underground bands.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

I'm a bit of a fair-weather Pretenders fan; able to see the good in almost every album (including Chrissie Hynde's new one JP & The Fairground Boys) yet without a strong favourite past the first one. My loss, likely. But if punk rock had kicked off a bit of a uncivil war between the rock n' roll generations, Hynde and her highly-skilled band-mates were the re-constructionists bringing together America and Britain (Ohio meets London), the punks and the old guard (Chrissie, the former NME journo even married Ray Davies!), the critics and the radio (they had plaudits and hits) not to mention feminists and drunken rock fans (I didn't say that all these rapprochements were necessarily permanent).

For proof of some of that here's the band playing live at Heatwave 1980 in Toronto, a New Wave-styled festival that featured one HELL of a line-up.

The fierce-as-fire set sounds loud and clear and includes much of the debut album as well as a cover of "Louie, Louie".

Live at Heatwave (1980) link is in the comments

Speaking of comments, give us your take on the works of Chrissie Hynde and The Pretenders.

This thirty-one volume series features artists covering Bob Dylan songs. All of the tracks are recordings of independent origin (ROIO) and hence officially unreleased.

A fascinating volume that covers all manners of intriguing artists from the Long Ryders to Pete Townsend, from The Holmes Brothers to My Morning Jacket, from Black Rebel Motorcycle Gang to Marianne Faithful (alongside the usual modest dose of Rolling Stone Magazine snore-bringers like Santana and The Black Crowes).

Sunday, October 24, 2010

"I found my perfect lover but he's only half my age" sings long-time Pretenders leader Chrissie Hynde on this strange and unpredictable album. The "perfect lover" just might be former leader of the Welsh band Grace, JP Jones who certainly appears to be both muse and co-conspirator on this fine record.

Today's offering is a live show from the Exit In, Nashville, TN USA September 18, 2010. They run thorough every track off the album plus two new songs and one Moby Grape cover.

JP & Chrissie Hynde: Live Fidelity link is in the commentsFor the rest of this week's top ten please come visit The Big Takeover!

Saturday, October 23, 2010

callpastorjerkface said...I remember hearing "Typical Girls" for the first time on a New Music special on punk that was broadcast 'round about 1988. The song just completely blew my mind. It was such an original and invigorating way of combining various strands of music into a crackling catchy whole. It's funny listening to it now I can dissect the pieces from whence it came much more readily but this takes nothing away from it's greatness. And make no mistake "Typical Girls" is a Great Song.Rest in peace Ari.

wilfofhove said...They don't make 'em like her any more. A genuine free spirit.Saw The Slits supporting The Clash at Cardiff Top Rank in '78. It changed my life, that gig.Extremely sad news.

biopunk said...Fuck, I hate cancer.I think I the first song I heard by the Slits was 'Grapevine' or 'Typical Girls'. I was hooked by the vocal harmonies juxtaposed with the discordant music. Not to mention that 'risque' purple cover of Cut...Love 'Vindictive' on the Peel Session - "You find your place, I'll find mine!"

roberto said...the Slits had a truly unique style,not another xerox punk band, i see them live in 81 at the time of their second album,the record was boring but on stage the songs were all another story,full of warmth...and yes,Ari was beautiful...

Doug said..Thanks for this.The Slits were certainly hyped back in the day(especially the NME) and initially I was not impressed.Slowly the debut album started to grow on me.Definitely DIY.Other bands that took me awhile to appreciate were Pere Ubu and The Pop Group.Ari Up RIP.

Singing Bear said...Incredibly sad news. I was a bit of fan back in the late 70's. Loved 'Typical Girls' in particular. Ari was also a fine contributor to New Age Steppers.The Slits were a great band and extremely innovative.RIP, Ari.

Sarest said....These rocknroll Peel versions of Cut songs are great. Still prefer the reggae n. originals, but they really stretched with these.Wish I'd seen 'em at some point. RIP Ari. What a spirit.

bat29 said..Sad news about Ari Up. Thanks for posting this one. Been looking for it.

Jugghead said...I used to be into the whole faster is better trip-till I heard the Slits. Heard it through the Grapevine, Typical Boys, and how about the "Punk Rock Movie"? I could watch that footage for days. She was beautiful and I'm glad I saw 'em here in Los Angeles, she even signed a picture for me...Archie

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Why does the phrase "The Best Tribute Album of the Decade" sound like an insult? Better scribes then I have limned The Tribute Album Paradox (i.e. the better the artists involved in the tribute album the more disappointing the results) but suffice it to say this one succeeds where others have failed painfully.

First off the compilers, Spin Magazine, MySpace Music and the band, found a few artists willing to fuck with the originals. While such irreverent reverence itself does NOT guarantee a great tribute it is a must. As well a tribute needs to bring out something different about the band. Germs of Perfection does this by paying tribute to both the band's folkish song-writing and its' punk performance. We begin with the folkiness; Iowan William Elliot Whitmore doing an an country-blues version of "Don't Pray On Me", Englishman Frank Turner doing his folksinger take on "My Poor Friend Me", Christian-popsters Switchfoot going soft on "Sorrow", Winnipeg's The Weakerthans drawing out the melancholy in "Sanity"and even indie-punker Ted Leo's doing a slow if threatening take on "Against the Grain". The speed and distortion then roars back with bands like NYC's Polar Bear Club, Denmark's New Politics and Reno boys The Cobra Skulls (ft. Fat Mike) giving their own spin to BR's loud n' fastisms:

And since MRML is being kinda gender-biased these days here's Anathema (proponents of some sorta over-hyphenated Euro-metal sub-genre) who, while not appearing on this compilation, do offer up a prettified version of "Better Off Dead"

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

This thirty-one volume series features artists covering Bob Dylan songs. All of the tracks are recordings of independent origin (ROIO) and hence officially unreleased.

Y'know the quality ratio on this series (considering the limitations that ROIO implies) in damn high. With Johnny Cash, Warren Zevon, Billy Bragg, John Doe, Robyn Hitchcock, Tom Russel, Neil Young and Dan Bern here, who am I to complain about having 1 1/2 dull covers by the Grateful Dead?

Saturday, October 16, 2010

A good man loaned me this 7" by Red Fisher for the purpose of posting it here. I squirreled it away waiting to get my computer hooked-up to my stero. Then my two-year-old happened. While I did not witness the act, I can surmise that the following happened. He first pulled the cardboard mailer from its hiding spot. Then, ignoring the cassette inside, not to mention the 10" Tom Lehrer album just beside it, he removed the single. Next after taking off the plastic bag, he removed the picture sleeve before pulling the vinyl itself out of the paper sleeve. Finally, he took a pen to the vinyl, hacking it without remorse.

When I found it, I was almost in tears and just kept repeating "But it's not mine!" over and over.

If you've ever cared for a toddler, you'll know they have a heightened, almost mystical sense for what is valuable (or dangerous) and an urge to destroy (or play) with that thing.

So readers, I am now in need of a replacement copy and ANY HELP towards finding one would be welcomed with joyous thanks (not to mention cold hard cash $$$ where necessary).

Obviously my Canadian readers are more likely to be of help but as the record is on the Swiss label Off The Disk Records and was likely released to accompany a European tour (circa 1991) my thin hope is spread a little more evenly.Any assistance you can offer (whether giving a possible lead or just passing this request along) would be enormously appreciated!

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

This thirty volume series features artists covering Bob Dylan songs. All of the tracks are recordings of independent origin (ROIO) and hence officially unreleased.

This volume features songs that had not yet been on any volume up to this point and includes such MRML beloveds as, Elvis Costello, John Wesley Harding, Lou Reed and Robyn Hitchcock (as well as a smattering of unusual visitors like Joan Osbourne and Stephen Stills).

Monday, October 11, 2010

I was about 12 years old, and babysitting my cousin's kids. Saturday Night Live was on, and Patti and the band were the musical guests. I was riveted--I couldn't figure out if she was a guy or a girl, it rocked, and the drummer jumped over the kit at the end of the song! Took me years to find out who she was, but I never forgot it.

Mona said...I do remember watching her on the Old Grey Whistle Test in the UK in what 77 and being knocked out while my Dad thought it was the biggest load of bollox of all time...that is how I knew it was great!

Nazz Nomad said...i remember that candy slyce skit- i can say that I first heard of patti smith with r nr r nggr.

one thing that has always pleased me about patti is how truly humble and warm of a person she is on stage and how absolutely thankful she seems.

Anonymous said...good songs-political imbecile

Kaggsy said...Thanks for this! Came across Patti when Horses made its debut in 1975 - she's a one-off and has always been an inspiration - great post!

TSI-NA-PAH said...Thanks a lot, i've been with Patti a month ago,only for few minutes,but i remember this like a dream.

whitestuff said...I was a member of her fan club in the late 70s. I believe her sister ran it if I'm not mistaken. As much as I worship Horses Radio Ethiopia is still my favorite.

Anonymous said...i loved patti smith the first time i heard her, which was when 'horses' was released and i heard that unforgettable wail coming from a college radio show i enjoyed, but my introduction to her was years before. in 1973, she wrote an absolutely brilliant review of todd rundgren's "a wizard, a true star;" do a search, you can find it. i was already a todd fan, and i knew i would be buying the record when i was able, but reading patti's hallucinatory evaluation would have forced me to find it if i hadn't already been so inclined. when i did get the album months later, i was amazed to find, tucked inside the sleeve, a folded piece of paper, 3" x 7" maybe, a printed blow-up of a band-aid with a patti smith poem called "star fever" superimposed over the image. i treasure that album, not to mention everything that patti has touched since. and i saw gilda's candy slice the first it aired; she was and always will be one of snl's greatest gifts to the world.

The PopCulturist said...I was already into Patti but seeing her open three shows for Dylan in Philadelphia in 1995, upon her return to live performance, was -- well, words are failing me right now. Short version is, if you have a chance to see her live, DO NOT MISS IT. Her shows start off at an energy level most shows never reach at all and go up from there. She keeps every promise rock 'n' roll ever made: musical, physical, emotional, sexual, spiritual. I've been blessed to see her five more times since. She's the closest thing our culture has to a high priestess.

On my blog, http://therarestuff.blogspot.com/, those interested can find a collection of Patti rarities, a powerful 2005 concert, and a great interview.

Biopunk said...E. None of the Above

Or: Every rock journalist (...or rock journalist wannabe), who was (...or ever wanted to be), from NYC and writing back in the 80's...

Sunday, October 10, 2010

I can't guarantee that any track Ripped-Up Jeans and Silly Dreams (2010) by New York twee-indie punk band The Candy Hearts bests the single, "Don't Go Blocking the Sunshine" but that's no knock on the album.

If you chose A give yourself 20 Rock Nerd Points, for B take 5 RNP, for C take 1 and as for D, well the eighties was a looong time ago but if you STILL think that song is by the same woman that's -100 RNP's. (My answer? C naturally, and I am not ashamed because Gilda Radner (R.I.P), possibly the most gifted performer in the obscenely-talented Not Ready For Prime Time Players would be my nominee for Woman With the Greatest Right To Kick Christopher Hitchens in the Balls."

Here's a live Patti set from '79, certainly one of her peaks.

The Poet Princess Of The Parking Lot link is in the comments(A SECOND LINK - SCROLL DOWN IN THE COMMENTS - HAS BEEN ADDED FOR ANYONE EXPERIENCING TROUBLE WITH THE FIRST ONE!)

Speaking of comments, tell us about your first encounter with Patti Smith.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

This thirty volume series features artists covering Bob Dylan songs. All of the tracks are recordings of independent origin (ROIO) and hence officially unreleased.

No special theme this time just lots of the usual great stuff like Patti Smith, Bruce Springsteen, Steve Earle, John Wesley Harding and the White Stripes (plus a dose of dull jam-rockers like Trey Anastasio, Dave Mathews and The Grateful Dead.)

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

One of a fifteen-volume bootleg series from the early aughts full of raw punk noise from the likes of: The Wasps, Puncture, The Sods, Neon Hearts,The Now and the brilliant-but-unfortunately-named, DONKEYS!

Two quick issues:First this rip is missing track 7 but rather than delay or break up the series, I've decided to post it anyway - if anyone can help please do so!Secondly, and speaking of help, if anyone can identify tracks 20 and 21, please let us know!

Spunkstains Volume Seven link is in the comments.

Speaking of comments, give us your take on the high-wattage line-up on this volume!

Friday, October 1, 2010

I fell hard for The Muffs back in 1993. It wasn't a band member-specific obsession(though Kim Shattuck, could've been the besotting one). No it was all about the sound, which was was rife with pop-punk melodies, garage-rock riffs, lyrics that wrung genuine emotion from a plain-spoken simplicity and that ever-present Shattuck shriek of "WOHW!"

This live show at Lee's Palace in Toronto (recorded for the CBC show, Real Time) shows the band near the peak of their power circa 1995.

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